Calicut FC's local hero Gani Ahmed scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph over Thiruvananthapuram Kombans in the first semifinal of Super League Kerala at the Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Tuesday.
Gani pounced on a rebound, after substitute John Kennedy forced a save, to net the winner in the 73rd minute. Brazilian Kennedy, who came off the bench in the second half found the equaliser in the 59th minute.
The Kombans had led the game since the 41st minute when Autemar scored a penalty. The goal came at the end of continuous pressure put on the Kombans backline by Calicut's attacking trio of Barfo, Belfort and Riyas. In the 11th minute, Gani had threatened the Kombans with a curling freekick.
Calicut had qualified to the semifinals as league leaders with just one defeat in 10 games. In the second semifinal to be played on Wednesday, Forca Kochi will play Kannur Warriors. The game will kickoff at 7.30 pm. The final is scheduled for November 10. Calicut FC now looks forward to the ultimate showdown in the Super League Kerala final, where they’ll compete for the championship title.
Result: Calicut FC 2 (John Kennedy 59, Gani Ahmed 73) bt Thiruvananthapuram Kombans 1 (Autemar 41 (p))